- Contributed by听
- cambsaction
- People in story:听
- Ernest James Mansell
- Location of story:听
- Desert Air Force
- Background to story:听
- Royal Air Force
- Article ID:听
- A7941341
- Contributed on:听
- 21 December 2005
RAF Service in the Middle East
My father started off in catering. I do not know why, but he moved to join Middle Ferry Control, LG224, Cairo West, in 1942. He said his first missions were from Malta. He was a radio operator on board Lancasters, firstly with 147 Sqn in 1942. He then moved to 178 Sqn in 1944. Whilst in the east, he learnt to speak a little bit of Arabic. He was involved in the raids on the Ploesti Oilfields, and said it was one of the most frightening raids; a lot of men were lost. In one raid a piece of shrapnel hit the aircraft. My father thought he was hit, but luckily it had been lodged in his seat. I am now showing some photos of my father during his service.
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